Your Right to Know

Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoChris Russell | DispatchOhio Gov. John R. Kasich signs an executive order to help enforce existing and underused laws to help control dangerous wild animals.

Gov. John Kasich today signed an executive order to use existing legal authority — including
arrest powers available to county humane society officers — to help deal with wild-animals issues
in Ohio.

Kasich’s order, which he signed about 3 p.m. today during a press conference at his
Statehouse office, does not ban ownership or sale of wild animals. He said that will require
changes in the state law to be proposed later this year.

“Governors can’t just invent laws,” Kasich said. “I really wish I could have the power to
invent any law I want.”

Instead, he ordered the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to review permit it has issues
for native wild species. Wild-animal auctions will be restricted and unauthorized auctions will be
shut down. The state will work with zoos about caring for confiscated or impounded wild animals, he
said.

Kasich said county humane societies have had legal authority since 1953 to make arrests in
animal cruelty cases, regardless of the type of animal.

The issue of who owns wild animals in Ohio, and how to regulate them, came tragically into
focus this week with the release of nearly 50 wild animals by Terry Thompson of Zanesville;
Thompson then shot himself.

Most of the animals had to be killed by law enforcement, although six were safely taken to
the Columbus Zoo.

Kasich defended his decision to not renew an executive order signed by his predecessor, Gov.
Ted Strickland, just before leaving office. He said it was unenforceable and “had no teeth.”
Strickland’s order banned the sale and purchase of lions, tigers, bears and other non-native
species. Current owners would have been allowed to keep their animals but would have had to
register with the state.

“We will seek statutory authority. You don’t do it on the back of a napkin. You don’t do it
without the authority of law.”

Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of the Humane Society of the United
States, said Kasich’s order is “inadequate” and “far too conservative given the severity of the
crisis.”